The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Uttarakhand): The recent suspension of Patanjali’s manufacturing license for 14 products by the Uttarakhand government marks a significant setback for the company. This action, which was spurred by the Supreme Court’s criticism of the state’s inactivity, also caused a 4% drop in Patanjali Foods Ltd’s stock value on Tuesday.
The initiative was led by Dr. Babu K V, a Kerala-based ophthalmologist who challenged the company’s advertising practices. Dr. Babu submitted over 100 RTIs and other inquiries to various central bodies, including the Drugs Controller General of India and the Ministry of Ayush, to curb the circulation of these ads. His investigation began when he noticed a Patanjali advertisement falsely promoting a simple cure for cataracts and glaucoma.
Dr. Babu’s persistence paid off when the licensing authority in Uttarakhand demanded that Patanjali withdraw its deceptive advertisements, a directive to which Divya Pharmacy complied. His efforts didn’t stop there; he escalated the issue to national authorities, catching the attention of Members of Parliament, which further pressured the regulatory bodies.
The case intensified when Patanjali claimed that its products could cure chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and even COVID-19. These allegations led to increased scrutiny from the Indian Medical Association and a broader acknowledgment of the public health risks posed by such misleading claims.
Dr. Babu’s relentless pursuit to uphold advertising standards reflects a critical stance on the need for accurate health communication, thus safeguarding consumer rights and wellbeing.
